I think the reason why Bobby thrived and was successful with it because he found his niche and he worked it, said Bell. Men The station started the WDIA Goodwill Fund to help and empower black communities. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. SIDEBAR. Nat was a history teacher and the first black radio DJ at WDIA in Memphis. He began his teaching profession at Northside High, (his alma mater), where he taught English and Applied Economics. So, he moved back to Houston to return to radio there. OJay eventually got a tour of the station, but back then, you needed an FCC license to be a DJ, so radio would have to wait. That range included about 10% of the black population of the United States which in turn garnered substantial advertising revenues. Address: King has a good time telling the story of how he got his radio gig at WDIA in Memphis, TN, a station that turned its sinking fortune around by becoming the first radio station in . I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. [9] Originally, the fund provided transportation to school for disabled black children. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Talking to TV outlet Fox 13/Memphis prior to his induction, OJay said of his 49-year career, Ive never had this job and that job. Initially programmed to appeal to the white demographic with classical, country-western, and various other musical genres, WDIA failed to distinguish itself, and in a last attempt to stave off failure, began to play Blues records. WDIA M-F 6am-10am & Sun. One fan tweeted: "Local legendary DJ - Bobby OJay has passed - prayers up for a Memphis legendit was sudden- he was on the radio this morning. Fired within three months of taking his first gig in Birmingham, that Milwaukee station he called during high school hired him and he quickly became program director. RADIO ICON Bobby O'Jay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute. King joined WDIA in early 1949. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work. Watch Bobby OJay reflect on his early days at WDIA below. May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy.. Vintage Radio Steampunk Women Alice And Wonderland Quotes Techno Old Radios Record Players The Dj H Harm Koenders Radio Disc Jockey's 1950's-1970's Dj Music Listening To Music Vinyl Junkies Radio Personality Professional Audio Thanks For The Memories British English American English J Joe Defazio Radio Disc Jockey's 1950's-1970's Rhythm And Blues WDIA (1070 AM) is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. oldies. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. Bev Johnson. They talk back to you, OJay said. WDIA, where OJay worked for decades, issued this statement: It is with great sadness we share the passing of the Legendary Bobby OJay. Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. WDIA's afternoon radio talent playing the best music in the world and keeping you up to date with the latest local and community information. Bobbyology is my thought pattern. Throughout this period, it continued (and continues) to offer content for African Americans by African Americans. Fred was a very caring family man and loved his daughter and wife dearly.. Condolences to his family, colleagues and all who loved him. A cause of . He had a brief on-air stint in Montgomery, Alabama, but returned to Milwaukee prior to landing the hosting gig at WDIA in 1983. [3], WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. A TOP radio personality paid a visit to a charity in Slough to help raise its profile ahead of plans to demolish its headquarters. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. Atlanta Radio Personalities Among National Black Radio Hall Of Fame Inductees. When WDIA first went on air June 7, 1947, it was owned by John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, both . 2 Be Kind and Courteous We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. "He was the type of guy, you know, if you saw him out on the streets or whatever, he treats you like, 'Hey man, it is so great to see you. 1070 WDIA The Heart & Soul of Memphis Local News Tennessee Attraction Among The 17 Top Amusement Parks In America Feb 28, 2023 Sista Strut 2023! Honored by the Living Legends Foundation in 2000 and iHeartMedia Memphis in 2018, he was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. Memphis mayor Jim Strickland also reacted to O'Jay's death on Twitter. All Rights Reserved. degree in educational media technology from Jackson State University. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. iHeartRadio Ultimate Contest, Sweatfest Punta Cana with Keith Sweat. 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Listen online or on your phone with our free app! A.C. Williams, a former WDIA disc jockey, helped create the Goodwill Fund in 1954. WDIA 1070 Memphis - Bobby O'Jay - December 19 2019Bobby O'Jay was one of the most iconic voices in Memphis Broadcasting. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. And I got a phone call, he remembered. May 3, 2022 WDIA. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. Notable U.S.radio disc jockeys of the period include Alan Freed, Wolfman Jack, Casey Kasem,[25]and their Britishcounterparts such as the BBC's Brian Matthewand Alan Freeman, Radio London'sJohn Peel, Radio Caroline's Tony Blackburn, and Radio Luxembourg's Jimmy Savile. It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market . The trailblazer's voice and personality have helped make up the fabric of the Bluff City for decades as part of the historic legacy of the Mid-South's first African American radio station, WDIA. WDIA reached 10% of the African-American population in United States. Website. Rating: 4.0 Reviews: 1. Nobody said a word to me. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. He said, well, I thought you stopped using drugs. I said, no man. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred Hollywood Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby O'Jay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Twin Cities: AM Personality Tom Barnard ReUps At KQRS; Portland OR Radio: Lar Larson Renews Deal With KXL; Richmond Radio: iHM Names A-J OM/Regional PM . Memphians continue to remember WDIA radio host Bobby OJay, who died Tuesday morning. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. By age 17, OJay remembered walking the halls of his high school, using his radio voice.. Memphians remember radio host Bobby OJay, Woman accused of driving into home, killing former pro basketball player Galen Young granted diversion, Justin Bieber cancels remainder of world tour after Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis, 1 dead after multi-vehicle crash on I-240, traffic heavily congested, First Alert Meteorologist Brittney Bryant's Thursday Morning Weather 3/2, Bane leads Grizzlies to victory against Rockets, Baptist Memorial speaks out on gun violence, 1 dead after crash near Shelby Drive, MPD reports. When WDIA went on the air in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, its white owners, Bert Ferguson and John R. Pepper, were anything but blues aficionados; however, deejay Nat D. Williams was. Music (Memphis: Hopkins-Oates & Associates, 2008); Louis Cantor, Heres a guy who came from the cotton fields in Mississippi. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. It leaves a legacy behind, you know, for my family, you know, and of course for me and it also adds to the legacy of the radio station because now it will be four of us, he said. K97 FM 9am. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Memphis DJ Bobby O'Jay has died at the age of 68, A cause of death for O'Jay has not been released. "We have raised over $900,000 over the years," A.C. Williams says. B.B. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. When hewould usually open phone lines for listeners, the station continued to play music. But before he came to the station in Indianapolis, Fred worked at a station in St. Louis. Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station for decades. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. King and Rufus Thomas. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. I have met some of the biggest stars in America. He can be heard Monday through Friday on WDIA from 6 to 10 a.m. and on V101 from 3 to 7 p.m. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian) Though the on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white. . You can listen to Bobby OJay Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM. Discover Tuesday's shows for 1070 WDIA in Memphis, TN. I was listening to WDIA radio when they only stayed on the air until 12:AM Rufus Thomas signed off at Midnight. His son, WDIA-AM 1070 radio personality Kylan Hunt, 54, died two years ago from natural causes. He was known as a pioneer of Black radio. OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. Fred had a very good voice, said Stansbury. During his 50 year radio career, O'J. Johnnie Walker, founder/CEO of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment, Inc. (NABFEME), knew OJay during her career ascension from radio station PD to senior vp, promotion at Def Jam Recordings. He landed some roles in stage plays in the city. He has become one of Memphis' most energetic & beloved radio personalities for twenty-nine years now! This callsign, however, is now assigned to an unrelated Christian-programmed station. 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